The last match of the year 2006 at the Arboras stadium features a clash between two teams very close in the rankings in this highly competitive group 4 of Federal 2. Before this final matchday of the first half of the season and after ten matches, they are tied with six wins and four losses, and only six points in the goal average separate them. The kickoff is given by Santa Claus, but the Bastia and Nice teams are not in the mood for giving gifts.
In this extremely tight championship, it is forbidden to lose at home, and winning on the road is imperative. This is the challenge that makes the first half austere, with no risks taken. Bastia and Nice are content to occupy the opponent’s field. They hope to score some points by penalty, and that’s what happens. Few dangerous actions during the first 40 minutes. The two teams cannot be separated. Two penalties apiece. They had to make do with that.
The first half is an opportunity to discover Rudi Dames, the new recruit of Rugby Nice Côte d’Azur. Positioned at fly-half, he is very modest but very valuable in occupying the field with his left foot. The South African delivers a clean performance. In a contrasting style, his counterpart Temur Sokhadze attempts in vain to infiltrate the Azur defense.
The Nice team begins the second half in a more incisive manner. They dare more, release the ball more quickly, and force the islanders into making mistakes. Rudi Dames converts a penalty in the 54th minute (9 to 6 for Nice). Olivier Achaintre’s men then take off, and the Corsicans will not catch up. Following a blocked kick at the 22-meter line, Guillaume Guiran, the powerful second-row, charges in and scores a try. Rudi Dames converts (16 to 6 in the 55th minute). The Corsican scrum-half Nicolas Larrue scores three new points for Bastia, but Dames replies to him (19 to 9 in the 68th minute). Five minutes before the end of this closely contested match, Eric Delage, the Azur center, blocks an opponent’s clearance and touches the ball down behind the line. The try is converted by Geoffrey Marras (26 to 9). The Bastia XV goes all out during added time and saves face. Nice wins 26 to 16. The Azur rugby players have shown their realism. Two counterattacks ending in two tries were enough for them to defeat the valiant Bastia team.
At the end of the first round of matches, the RCNA holds second place in group 4 despite a laborious start, a home defeat against neighbors Grasse, and no easy victories except the first match in Martigues. Grasse is third but has one less home match to play against the leader Romans. In case of victory, Grasse will overtake Nice. Nothing is decided in this group where all teams are of the same level, and all matches are hard to win.
Standings:
1 Romans 26 points (10 matches)
2 Nice 25
3 Grasse 24 (10 matches)
4 Bédarieux 24
5 Sorgues 24
6 Vendres Sauvian Lespignan 23
7 Bédarieux 23
8 Chatorange 21 (10 matches)
9 Monteux 19
10 Saint-Raphaël-Fréjus 18 (10 matches)
11 Draguignan 18
12 Martigues 11
